In the previous episode, we had witnessed the commencement of the “Shraadha Parva”, which is the next “Upa Parva” after the “Sthree Vilaapa Parva”. All these “Upa-Parvas” come under the main “Sthree Parva”. Towards the end of the “Sthree Vilaapa Parva”, we had witnessed Mother Gandhari cursing Bhagawan Krishna that His “Yaadava-Kulam” will also face similar destruction, thirty-six years from this point. Bhagawan Krishna too accepts it happily, understanding the pain and frustration that Mother Gandhari is in right now, after losing all her hundred sons, including Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra war. Moving on further, all the other women who had lost their husbands in the war, come in front of Bhagawan Krishna and cry out loudly, venting their grief and frustration. All of them pin the blame squarely on Bhagawan Krishna for the entire debacle that has taken place at Kurukshetra. However, Bhagawan Krishna requests all of them after a point to move on with it, and there is no purpose behind mourning and blaming continuously over the past happenings. Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna initiates the process of performing the “Jala-Tarpanam” to all the departed people in the battle.
Moving on further, Bhagawan Krishna asks Yudishtra to take stock of how many people have died in the war on either side. As Yudishtra comes up with the statistics, the destruction seems to be extremely heavy on both sides. Now, Yudishtra asks a very important question to Bhagawan Krishna thus, “Oh Bhagawan! Now that we have thousands of people who have died in this battle – How will we know who has reached which “Lokha”? I’m sure not everyone would have attained the “Veera-Svargam” or “Svarga Lokha”. Can you explain how this works? As Yudishtra asks thus, Bhagawan Krishna gives a very important reply – “Oh Yudishtra! You’ve asked a very important question here. Now let me tell you – All those people who have fought this war thinking that it is their duty to protect their territory and people, have attained the “Svarga Lokha”. All those people who have selflessly fought this war, sans any personal brownie points, have managed to reach the “Svarga Lokha” as well. However, those people who were under the mindset of losing this war anyhow, and who reluctantly fought the war, knowing the fact that they are going to die, have reached the “Gandharva Lokha”. Similarly, those people who were looking for shortcuts to win this war, and those who were trying to somehow escape from the battlefield, reluctant to fight beyond a point, have reached the treacherous “Naraka Lokha”. However, those few warriors who had valiantly fought the battle till their last breath, even when they were weaponless at some point, have reached the highest “Satya Lokha” of Bhagawan Brahma! Whereas, those small warriors who were not very decorated and frontline ones, and who gave their best with whatever little weaponry they had with them, will get a re-birth in this world amidst the highest “Kulams” (Clans). In other words, these warriors will get a royal life with all kinds of benefits and luxuries in this world!”
As Bhagawan Krishna says thus, Yudishtra also echoes the same points to King Dhritarashtra who is standing besides him. As Yudishtra and Bhagawan Krishna jointly say thus, King Dhritarashtra is quite surprised! He asks Yudishtra back – “Oh Yudishtra! How come you’re able to clearly explain who has gone to which “Lokha”? How is it possible to understand this so clearly? How are you able to view this with such clarity?” As King Dhritarashtra asks thus, Yudishtra replies back – “Oh King! When I spent thirteen years of my life in the forest, I had the opportunity to go on a “Teertha Yatra” for almost a year. During that time, I had met Sage Lomaharshana. It was at this time, Sage Lomaharshana explained to me all these facts of life as to who will attain which “Lokha” after their demise from this world!”
Saying thus, Yudishtra continues further thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! You should understand that all those you cannot see in this world, doesn’t mean that they are untrue! There is something called “Arishtam” in this world, which happens invisibly. When a great sage of the calibre of Sage Lomaharashana says something, it is bound to be true. There can be no second thought about it! Hence, rather than testing Sage Lomaharshana’s words to physically go and check who has gone where, we’ve to believe 100% upon his words and understand that these people have reached their respective “Lokhas” for whatever they’ve done!” So for today, let us understand up to this point, and we shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 